Hilmarc’s pulls out of bidding

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—The bidding for the second phase of construction of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) failed after the controversial contractor, Hilmarc’s Construction Corp. (HCC), withdrew from the equally controversial pet project of Senate President Franklin Drilon and the winner was subsequently disqualified.

Director Edilberto Tayao of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said another bidding would be held following the disqualification, in a later evaluation, of WERR Corp. International, which made the lowest offer.

Tayao said WERR was disqualified for delays in the implementation of other DPWH projects.

In the bidding held on Oct. 20, WERR submitted the lowest bid of P166.1 million for the project, lower than the approved budget for the contract of P187.6 million. JD Legaspi Construction made a tender of P178.4 million and HSO Construction Corp., P180 million.

The project, which has an allocation of P200 million, involves mainly finishing works, including power, water, electricity, glass fixtures and two escalators, according to Tayao.

HCC, contractor of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II, is undertaking the first phase of the convention’s construction, originally under a P480-million contract, which was later increased by P12 million to cover components of the second phase. It withdrew from the second phase, saying it could not keep cost within the amount set by the DPWH.